Dr. Fredrick Harold Pierce

Dr. Fredrick's Story

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Dr. Fredrick Harold Pierce, formerly of Danville, passed into the arms of his Heavenly Father at noon on Monday, June 26, 2017, after a brief hospitalization in Neenah, Wis. He was 86.
Born Aug. 23, 1930, in Romeo, Mich., the son of Clark Marvin and Rosene Elizabeth (Baker) Pierce. He married MaryJo Jadwin on Dec. 23, 1953, and she survives. Also surviving are his sister, Joan-Lorna Boewe of Ky., and his six children, Jennifer (Jim) Reed of Indiana, Suzanna (Hugh) Jones of Illinois, Cynthia Pierce of Illinois, Benjamin (Jeri) Pierce of Connecticut, Betsy (Randy) Hamby of Wisconsin, and Nancy (Dr. Jim) Payne of Alabama. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren: Daniel Reed of Pennsylvania, Dr. Jonathan (Betsy) Reed of Florida, Aaron (Suzanne) Reed of California, Nora-Leigh Reed and Alex Reed of Indiana, Melinda (Larry) Jones of Indiana, Courtney (nee Jones) (Edward, III) Sayre of Oregon, Nathan (Krischa) Pierce of Connecticut, Natalie Pierce of Connecticut, Jhered Hamby and Brooke Hamby of Wisconsin, Peggy Payne and Gracie Payne of Alabama; and 14 great-grandchildren, Michael and Joshua Reed of Florida, Wade and Keith Reed of California, Zacheriah McLain of Illinois, Mason Michelin and Olivia Jones of Indiana, Edward Sayre, IV of Oregon, Fiona, Kylie and Clive Pierce of Connecticut, Levi, Phoenix and Gavin Hamby of Wisconsin; plus two great-grandchildren on the way. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a great-grandson.
He was a graduate of Hillsdale (Mich.) High School, University of Michigan School of Medicine, and received his Master's Degree in Sacred Music from Pensacola Christian College. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served from 1956-1960 in Pensacola, Fla., and San Antonio/Ft. Worth, Texas.
He retired from Central Foundry Division of General Motors in Tilton in 1988 and was a former member of First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and teacher of adult Sunday School classes for many years, as well as sang tenor in the choir, and Calvary Baptist Church, Danville, and Faith Baptist Church, Decatur, Ala. Chosen for his high academic standing, leadership and professionalism, Fredrick became a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the Honor Society of Medicine, his junior year of medical school. He was also a member of the American Association of Physicians & Surgeons, Lakeview Hospital Board, founding Board of Education member for Hope Christian High School, and member of the John Birch Society. He continued to practice medicine after his move to Indiana until 2001.
Among his favorite things to do were choral/band directing, singing, listening to John Phillip Souza marches and barbershop quartets, and scripture memory. He was a voracious reader, and a whiz in mathematics and English, eager to tutor anyone who wished. His favorite hymn was "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." One of his most favorite memories was his final trip to The Big House to play in the University of Michigan Alumni Marching Band during Homecoming halftime festivities in Oct. 2014.
There will be no visitation nor funeral service at this time. A graveside memorial service is planned for the future in Michigan.
Dad's favorite song, by Hale & Wilder:
A great day is coming, Heaven's gates will open wide,
And all who love the Lord will enter in;
To join with their loved ones who in Jesus Christ have died;
Our eternal life in Heaven to begin.
And the Lord Himself will greet us on that great and glorious day
And with the smile of the proudest Father He'll look at us and say,
"Welcome Home Children! This is the place I've prepared for you.
Welcome home children, now that your work on earth is through.
Welcome home children, you who have followed so faithfully.
Welcome home children! Welcome home children!
Here where I am you shall always be--
Forever rejoicing with Me."